Chapter 479

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 479: Beyond the Orbit (5)

The control room of the Earth ship, installed several hundred meters above the surface.

This space was far larger than expected.

“What the… does it really need to be this big?”

It looked to be at least several hundred pyeong.

But most of this wide space was empty, suggesting it would take a lot of money to finish outfitting it.

『That’s the captain’s seat.』

Earth, who had stepped into the control room before Yeongwoo, pointed toward a metallic seat located in the western area.

The seat was placed on a large circular platform and was clearly designed to rotate 360 degrees.

“Not exactly fancy for a Captain’s seat.”

『From what I know, the higher the class of the planetary ship, the more enhanced the captain’s seat becomes.』

“Well, does the seat even matter? As long as everything works, that’s what counts.”

Yeongwoo’s gaze then shifted to the massive device placed in the center of the control room.

It resembled a round table, and faint holograms hovered above it—it looked like a place to set the ship’s destination.

“So that’s where you choose where to go?”

『Right. It visualizes accessible space.』

In short, it’s where the map of space is generated.

“Wait—then who’s actually piloting this thing?”

『Piloting? I move my own body. As long as I know the destination, I can move there myself.』

“Oh, so it works like that.”

Both Yeongwoo and Earth were a bit unfamiliar with planetary ships—it was their first time, after all.

“So, what about Doatel’s coordinates? Is that a planet you already know?”

At that, Earth shook its head.

『No way. I don’t know that planet. It’s never even passed through my previous orbit.』

“…Huh? Then how do you set Doatel as your destination?”

『Well…』

Saying that it was faster to show than to explain, Earth waved its hand in the air to activate the navigation device.

Whirrrrr…!

With a mechanical hum, the central table began to rotate, and soon a holographic image of space appeared above it, which also started spinning rapidly.

“What’s that doing?”

『It’s searching for Doatel.』

“Wait, so even if you don’t have the coordinates, you can still find a planet just by its name?”

『Pretty much. As long as we have the name, we can search for it. But to get the actual coordinates, that planet’s data has to be public.』

Earth explained that most minor celestial bodies are forced to make their coordinates public—just like Earth had been when it was still a planet.

“So that’s what the Chairman meant.”

You can only roam the universe to the extent of what you know.

The words were true, quite literally.

“Wait, then there are planets with private coordinates?”

『Of course. If a planet has reached a certain status and gained independence, or if it was artificially created, its coordinates can absolutely be private.』

“Artificially created planets?”

『Like the Mechanized Planet of the Architect, for instance. It was directly made by the Architect, and its coordinates are private.』

“Oh.”

The Architect—Remu.

His Machine Tower, where he studied the Typesetter, was also built on an artificial planet.

“So planets can be manufactured, huh.”

It made the status of a Level 4 entity under interstellar law seem all the more impressive.

Though Remu wasn’t exactly an ordinary Level 4 being—he had once stood blade-to-blade with the Chairman even while being suppressed by ‘Prestige.’

“So the only way to learn hidden coordinates is from the planet itself?”

In response to Yeongwoo’s question, Earth crossed its arms.

『I don’t know everything in the universe—I'm just a minor celestial body—but I do know this: there’s no such thing as a perfect secret.』

“What does that mean?”

『If only the owner knows the coordinates, then you're right. But…』

Earth went on to explain that if those coordinates had ever been exposed—whether via an invited guest, or during an official investigation—they could be uncovered.

There were plenty of variables.

“Anyway, it means we still need to find someone who knows the coordinates.”

『Exactly. That’s why it’s really hard to obtain hidden coordinates. Which is why planetary ships are so special.』

“Because their coordinates constantly change?”

『Right. Whether they’re being tracked or hunted by a government, the most anyone can know is a momentary location. All they can do is follow our trail.』

Of course, if the pursuers had overwhelming power—enough to mobilize the entire galaxy against the planetary ship—the story would change.

But was there anyone like that in this universe?

“Then what’s with the ship registration? Last time, the administration sent over some lizard-looking guys. Is that also related to coordinates?”

『I’m not really sure about that part. But at the government level, they probably try to keep track of ship coordinates periodically. It makes management easier.』

“Hmm, I guess we’ll have to talk to those officials to be sure.”

As Yeongwoo and Earth wrapped up their conversation, Moro and Parina entered the control room through the door on the far side.

『Bigger than I expected.』

Moro had the same reaction as Yeongwoo.

He looked around the mostly empty control room and asked Earth,

『What’s with all the empty seats?』

『Uh… I’m not fully activated yet, so I’m not sure. But I think more seats can be added.』

Yeongwoo chimed in,

“Maybe they’re for the sub-cannons. Right now, we only have one main gun.”

『You really do think like a bandit. Still, it makes sense.』

As Earth spoke, a set of coordinates appeared on the navigation device, and it turned to Moro and announced,

『We’ve found the destination coordinates. Departing now.』

Then it pointed to several seats behind the Captain’s seat.

『The control room can shake significantly, so I recommend you all take a seat.』

At that, Parina pointed toward the most ornate-looking seat—the Captain’s seat.

『What about that one? Mother holds the highest Prestige here. Shouldn’t she be in the top seat?』

But Earth immediately shook its head.

『Only the captain is allowed to sit in the Captain’s seat. Not by policy—it’s just how the system works.』

In other words, Earth didn’t particularly want it that way—but the functionality demanded that only the registered captain could sit there.

Moreover, the Captain’s seat came with critical functions: emergency braking and emergency acceleration commands for the planetary ship, both of which were only activated when the Owner was seated.

『That bastard is the rightful Owner of Earth Ship, so I’m not upset. Besides, I already have my own throne.』

Perhaps because it was right before Earth Ship’s maiden launch, Moro surprisingly let the issue go rather simply.

『Anyway, let’s get going. The entire galaxy has already sensed our presence.』

『Yes, understood. I’ll initiate interplanetary transfer first.』

Interplanetary transfer—the most basic form of interstellar travel.

It referred to moving to the nearest planetary system in terms of spatial distance.

Like stepping across stepping-stones.

So, the farther the destination from the point of departure, the more planetary systems one had to pass through—and accordingly, the higher the chance the planetary ship would be spotted.

《Our planet will now depart from its natural orbit. All residents are advised to prepare for irregular shaking, impact, and any other unpredictable events.》

With that, Earth issued one final, rather intimidating public broadcast, and then turned toward Yeongwoo.

『…Captain.』

“…What?”

『Please give the launch command.』

With those words, Earth pointed toward the Captain’s seat.

“W-what are you doing all of a sudden? Captain?”

As a confused Yeongwoo walked toward the Captain’s seat, Administrator Kubu appeared behind him.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Shfft.

—All ships have captains. But since Earth Ship currently has none, the highest-ranking person aboard—the Owner—must temporarily serve as acting Captain.

“So basically, the Owner is the Captain too?”

—The Owner is the ship’s master. The Captain is its commander. They are distinctly different roles.

“So I’m acting as Captain from now on?”

—Until a new Captain is recruited, yes.

“A new Captain…?”

They probably meant someone experienced in ship combat.

And it did make sense that someone with more experience navigating space should command.

“I didn’t know there was such a thing…”

While Yeongwoo stood there dumbfounded, Jiseon—who had been quietly standing in a corner—spoke up.

—Finding a skilled captain won’t be easy. Especially since this isn’t a regular ship, but a planetary ship, and a pirate ship at that.

“……”

Yeongwoo had no rebuttal.

Then Earth nudged him again.

『Captain, please issue the launch command.』

“Wait, why are you suddenly using honorifics? Just talk like normal.”

『Protocol dictates we use honorifics when making requests to the Captain, you crazy Owner.』

“Oh.”

Finally seated in the Owner’s Chair, Yeongwoo took a sweeping look around the massive control room.

The control room was entirely encased in a transparent membrane from floor to ceiling and wall to wall—everything except the floor was see-through.

So all he could see now was blue sky and white clouds, making it hard to truly feel that he was sitting in the control room of a planetary ship about to sail through space.

“Uh… how do I give the launch command?”

Just then, a glowing blue orb rose near the right armrest of his seat.

“This must be the launch button.”

Even without an explanation, he could sense it.

He placed his palm on the orb.

TAP.

Suddenly, the transparent walls that had been showing the outside view turned pitch black.

Fwoosh!

“Wha?!”

Startled, Yeongwoo’s eyes widened as Earth—now looking quite solemn—pointed toward the complete darkness ahead.

『This is launch mode. What you’re seeing now is the space directly ahead of us.』

“Space? But shouldn’t we at least see some stars?”

Yeongwoo blinked rapidly at the darkened view beyond the control room.

Earth raised a finger and pointed upward.

『The stars are hidden by the light source.』

The intense sunlight was blocking out the other light.

『That’s why there’s a visual correction mode.』

With a flick of Earth’s finger, the view shimmered—and finally, the universe that Yeongwoo had been hoping to see came into view.

Fwoosh!

A star-filled cosmos, glittering with endless lights.

『There’s also a battle mode, but we probably won’t need it now. Our first jump is to a friendly location, after all.』

“A friendly location?”

『We’ll be heading to Proxima’s planetary system. Once there, we’ll plot our next jump.』

“Oh, so that’s why you told me to buy the star system travel module.”

Now somewhat understanding how the planetary ship worked, Yeongwoo twisted his palm slightly atop the glowing orb.

With that, the previously corrected view reverted to pitch-black space.

“Alright then, let’s try this ‘space jump’ thing.”

『Just press the power output button, Captain.』

As Earth said this, Yeongwoo raised his right hand.

Swish.

And then he slammed the blue orb down hard.

BOOM!

The outer view of the control room suddenly burst into iridescent light, and just as Earth had warned, the entire planet was gripped by intense shaking.

RUMMMMBLE…!

“Hey! Isn’t the whole planet going to blow up at this rate?!”

『It’ll get worse once we enter the relay zone. From now on, humanity will experience holographic skies and spacequakes as if breathing air. Our other planets too, of course.』

“What?!”

As Yeongwoo shouted in disbelief, a tunnel suddenly appeared in front of the control room.

A path through space—one that would carry this absurd celestial body all the way to Proxima Centauri.

『Hold the armrests tight. It’s going to feel like skydiving.』

As Earth said this, it had already gripped both armrests of the navigation unit tightly, and a tremendous sense of speed began to engulf everyone inside.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]